| A Brief History of Grafton
Grafton's "official" founding can be traced back to 1763. Originally
called Thomlinson after the grantee who resided in London, its citizens changed the name
to Grafton when Vermont entered the Union in 1791. Like most of colonial America,
agriculture dominated the town's life. In the early 1800's, the Saxtons River was
dammed and sawmills, gristmills, woolen mills and other enterprises were started.
The soapstone quarry on Kidder Hill was one of the largest in the country.
In 1830, Grafton's population grew to 1,482 with an estimated 10,000 sheep grazing the
hillsides. But, with the westward movement, the town lost its vitality and 100 years
later, 1,000 less citizens called Grafton "home."
Village life revolved around the general store and the inn. The Old Tavern,
opened in 1801, prospered during the boomtimes, and notables such as Daniel Webster,
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Ulysses S. Grant, Rudyard Kipling, and others, signed in as guests.
At one time, there were four general stores. Eventually, the town could
barely support one establishment and the inn was temporarily closed.
In 1963, the Windham Foundation undertook the restoration of many of the beautiful
buildings in the village. The vitality and commercial endeavors of the town
returned. The charm of a village that time passed by earlier this century is still
present in Grafton. Your visit is most welcome. http://www.windham-foundation.org
Directions from the Brattleboro area:
Route 30 north 17 miles to Townshend. In Townshend, take Route 35 north 3 miles.
Take left fork in road, 7 miles to Grafton.
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This is an excellent bike ride from my camping spot in Townshend, Vermont. I
cycled to Grafton on the Saturday of the July 4th weekend and there was very little
vehicular traffic. Once you get on Route 35, it's all typical Vermont farms.
It's a slower ride heading toward Grafton due to the uphill elevation, but a really fast
return - you can almost coast back to Townshend!
Along the bike route....
The village itself is intriguing. All the phone and electrical lines in the
village itself are underground. It's a vibrant community, still holding the
traditional Town Meeting for government, with participation from a diverse population of
600 people.
ATTRACTIONS:
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Working Blacksmith Shop |
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Open the door to Vermont's natural beauty. Come explore
the Nature Museum at Grafton's innovative and interactive exhibits - you can dig for
fossils, discover minerals in a mine, watch honeybees at work in their hive - while at the
museum, learn about the area's fascinating plants, animals and geology, and meet the
catamount, our most elusive and mysterious cat.
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Admission fee: $3 adults
$2 seniors
$1 children |
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During July and August, 2000, a catamount (cougar) has been
spotted at various times between Townshend and Grafton. It's said he's about 8 feet
long and shy with humans - when seen, he's usually in the process of making himself
scarce. Photo to the left depicts a catamount which had been thought to be extinct
in this area. |
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Grafton Ponds Nordic Ski and Bike Center.
Winter activities include 70 kilometers of trails, ice skating, snowshoeing, sleigh rides
and a 600' tubing hill.
Summer activities focus on biking and hiking on trails designed for both beginners and
experts - short or long looped trail rides, mild or rigorous single track and group
adventures on over 90 km of trails. Trek bikes available for rent. Guided
tours, lessons, repair shop and retail store. Environmental Adventure
Camps for youngsters ages 8 to 14. (802) 843-2400. |
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Fire Barn Food & Stuff
Main Street, PO Box 73
Grafton, VT
Pat Mack
802-843-2499 |
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Tickle Your Fancy "One of the nicest gift shops in all New
England"
16 Main Street
802-843-2384
email: tyfcindy@sover.net
Cindy Newman |
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Grafton Village Store - Open all year except Easter, Thanksgiving and
Christmas |
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Daniel's House Retail Shop and Visitor Information Center
802-843-2499 |
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Grafton Village Cheese Co., Inc. Watch and taste award-winning
premium cheddar cheese as it's made.
1-800-GRAFTON |
Another of the intriguing shops
Payne and Elise Junker
Artists in Metal
(802) 875-3986 |
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Have a picnic lunch at the covered bridge on the grounds of the Grafton
Cheese Company - then take a walk through the bridge and meet some of the cows and sheep
that are grazing nearby. |
The Old Tavern at Grafton
Restored 1801 inn furnished in antiques.
"New England's Most Elegant Little Inn." |
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Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Call for seasonal schedule. Open
year round except April.
802-843-2231 or
1-800-843-1801
email: tavern@
sover.net
website:
www.old-tavern.com |
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Overnight visitors at the Old Tavern have included: Ulysses S.
Grant, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Rudyard Kipling, Daniel Webster, Oliver Wendell Holmes,
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau. |
Visit Grafton on the Internet: http://www.sover.net/~GRAFTON
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